Ornamental lamp shade providing a display of blending colors



May 6, 1952 M. c. THORSTENSEN 2,595,732

ORNAMENTAL LAMP SHADE PROVIDING A DISPLAY OF BLENDING COLORS Filed Aug. 12, 1947 Z 8 E E/7751* Patented May 6, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ORNAMENTAL LAMP SHADE PROVI DING A DISPLAY OF BLENDING COLORS Melvin C. Thorstensen, Berwyn, Ill.

Application August 12, 1947, Serial No. 768,241

5 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in ornamental illumination and is more particularly con Another object of the invention is to produce various colors in a lighting fixture by the use of a single source of illumination.

A further object of the invention is to attain various color tones in a decorative lamp shade.

still another object of the invention is to provide an'ornamental display of varying color tones derived from reflected light in a lighting fixture.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a highly ornamental interrelationship of different reflected colOrs in' a decorative lighting flxture.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of a novel method of utilizing reflected light for ornamental illumination.

It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved lamp shade structure.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will bereadily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying one sheet of drawings, in which:

Figure 1 i a side elevational view of a lamp shade embodying the features of the invention;

, Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the lamp shade;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the lamp shade taken substantially on the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view of a blank from which the body of the lamp shade can. be made; and

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of howthe ornamental lighting effects are attained.

According to the present invention, extremely pleasing ornamental effect are attained by refleeting light froma hidden source onto a visible surface or surfaces so configurated as to afford unusual light tones, especially where the light is colored. Further, by the use of different colors of reflected light unique interrelated illuminated areas of colored light are provided. Not only are areas of different color tones and areas of interrelated colors attained by the present invention, but a combination of these ornamental illuminating effects is provided for.

By the present invention, moreover, ordinary substantially white light is converted into visible colored light by reflection so that attractive subdued lighting effects are provided. Quite unusual striated color tones, different colors, and combinations of different colors in varying color tones are attainable.

A lamp shade embodying the features of the invention may be made in any appropriate size and cross sectional shape and may be formed to provide merely a partial inclosure or shield for an illumination source or a complete shield, may comprise a table lamp shade, a Wall bracket shade, a pendant lamp shade, a corner bracket, a newel lamp shade; and many other ornamental applica-' Each of the end plates I0 and H is adapted to be formed as a disk, which may be a stamping and including an inner inwardly pressed embossment I3. In this instance the end plates are formed circular and the embossment I3 in each instance is also formed circular and of smaller diameter whereby to provide an annular marginal flange M. The embossment I3 provides an annular radially outwardly facing shoulder [5.

The body I2 is made from what may be originally flat sheet material formed to provide an elongated generally rectangular blank I1 (Fig. 4) which is subsequently formed to the tubular shape desired and assembled between the end plates 1 0 and II encircling the respective shoulders l5 to maintain the preferred diameter and bearing edgewise against the respective flanges M of the end plates. In this relationship the body member l2 may be secured to the end plates in any appropriate fashion as by welding, brazing, soldering, attachment lugs or other preferred expedient.

Meansare provided for illuminating the exterior of body l2 from a light source completely hidden from view interiorly of the lamp shade assembly. To this end, the body I2 is formed with a series of appropriately spaced parallel light slots l8 formed to extend longitudinally of the lamp shade unit and through which light from a source such as a fluorescent tube I9 is adapted to project for interception by appropriate reflector elements 20. To accommodate the fluorescent 3 tube l9, or other source of illumination, one or both of the end plates I8 and Il may be formed with an appropriate axial aperture I911.

The respective reflector elements comprise a strip of sheet material of a width substantially greater than the width of the associated light escape slot IS in the lamp shade body and of a length to extend relatively snugly between the opposing flanges M of the end plates of the lamp shade unit.

Any suitable means may be provided for supporting the reflector element 28 in concealing relation to its light slot l8 and spaced from the adjacent portion of the body |2 to an appropriate extent to reflect light from the inner surface thereof identified at 2| onto the exterior of the shade body. If preferred, of course, the reflecting element 2!! may be secured permanently. However, in the present instance, means are disclosed for detachable assembly of the reflector element with the lamp shade body. To this end, spring clips 22 which may be formed from ap propriate spring wire are secured adjacent to the ends of the reflecting element 28 and are provided with respective entering cam terminals 23 and intermediate engagement shoulders 24 so that the reflecting element can be assembled by projecting the cam terminals 23 of the spring clips into the associated light slot I8 until the shoulders 24, formed as appropriate undulations in the spring clips engage the longitudinal edges defining the light slot. Thereby, the reflecting element can be easily removed for cleaning purposes and the like.

It will be evident that a great variety of ornamental and pleasing lighting effects can be attained as the result of the reflection by the reflecting elements 20 of light from the illumination source l9 onto the exterior of the lamp body I2. Thus, where the light source produces socalled white light, and the interior surface of the reflecting strips 2|! is also white, soft white light will be reflected thereby against the exterior of the lamp body l2 and be visible as a soft glow of ight which, depending upon the finish of the exterior of the lamp body will appear as white or any selected color. On the other hand, the light from the source l9 may be of an appropriate color which will be reflected with whatever metamorphosis occurs in the reflection from the exterior of the lamp shade body. Where the inner reflecting surface of any of the reflecting elements 2|! is colored, white light projected thereagainst from the illumination source I9 will reflect onto the exterior visible surface of the shade body l2 in the color of the reflecting surface 2|.

A most unusual variable tone illumination effeet is attainable by having the exterior, visible surface of the lamp shade body l2 formed with appropriat contours, such as transverse undulations or corrugations so that light reflected from the colored reflecting surface 2| of the reflecting strip 20 will impinge upon the high areas of the undulations facing toward the reflecting surface and taper off toward dark areas on the remote sides of the undulations and deep concentrations of colored light at the proximate sides of the undulations. To accentuate this effect the shade body l2 may be formed with a uniform serpentine cross sectional contour providing major outwardly protruding rib-like undulations 25 symmetrically shaped to include the respective light escape slots H3 at the peaks thereof and sweeping inwardly therefrom on relatively sharp diverging side surfaces 21 merging with a symmetrical series of secondary undulations 28 formed in the portions of the lamp shade body defining th relatively deep valleys between the major, rib undulations 25.

By having the respective reflector strips 20 formed of semi-elliptical cross section and of a width and depth to conceal the associated light escape slot |8 completely and form with the respective adjacent side surfaces 2'! divergent reflection slots 28a light reflected from the respective reflecting surfaces 2| will impinge upon the outer surfaces of the lamp shade body |2 provided by the valleys between the ribs 25.

Having reference to Figure 5, direct light from the light source passes through the respective escape slots l8, as indicated by the directional arrows 29 and impinges upon the respective reflecting surfaces 2|. From the surface 2|, in each instance, the light is reflected, as indicated by the directional arrows 38 onto the surfaces of the undulations 28. Since the respective proximate surfaces of the undulations 28 are directly in the line of reflected light they will provide relative high lights upon which the reflected light will appear relatively strongly. Moreover there is a direct ratio intensity of reflected illumination depending on the distance or" the several undulations 28 from the reflecting surface 2|. Thus, the nearest undulation will show a substantially stronger illumination than the most distant undulation 28 in each instance. In addition where the surfaces of the proximate sides of the undulations 28 merge into the valleys between undulations there will be a concentration of illumination which will show as a different shade from the outwardly curved illuminated sides or surfaces of the undulations. On the remote sides of the undulations the reflected illumination gradually tapers off toward darkness. In consequence, the reflected light from any given one of the reflector elements 28 appears as a striated series of varied color tones.

As will be observed, the reflected light from adjacent reflectors 20 crosses within the valley therebetween toward the respective reflector undulations 28. The result is strikingly beautiful and unusual. A quite spectacular display is effected by having the reflecting surfaces 2| of adjacent reflectors 2|] differently colored, whereby alternating striations of differently colored light are visible in a symmetrical pattern of varying tones. Since the light from the respective reflecting surfaces 2| impinges upon separate areas of the reflecting undulations 28 the colors reflected thereby are quite distinct and appear to merge into one another without any substantial overlapping. A great number of pleasing color combinations can be effected to suit individual taste. Some of the most striking combinations, of course, are effected by the interrelation of complementary colors such as green and red, blue and orange, yellow and purple, and etc. Since the outer surfaces of the reflectors 2|] are completely free from any reflected illumination, they will appear as dark areas separating the illuminated areas of the lamp shade.

For best reflective results, the finish for the exterior reflecting surfaces of the lamp shade are appropriately selected for whatever visual effect is desired. To attain best color value from reflected color from the reflecting surfaces 2|, the visible illuminated surfaces are to best advantage finished in a light color such as white enamel. On the other hand, a fluorescent coating may be applied or any other coating or finish appropriate to the desired illuminating result or visual effect desired.

It will, of course, be understood that various details of construction may be varied through a wide range without departing from the principles of this invention and it is, therefore, not the purpose to limit the patent granted hereon otherwise than necessitated by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an ornamental lamp shade, a shade body to be disposed in concealing relation to a hidden light source, said body having a plurality of Iongitudinally extending parallel generally concave grooves of substantial width separated by longitudinally extending parallel rib-like outwardly projecting portions the sides of which merge into said grooves, each of said rib-like projecting portions having a longitudinal slot at the apex of projection therein for escape of light from said source, and a respective channel-shaped elongated reflector shield member mounted in concealing relation to each of said slots, said members having the edges thereof adjacent to and overlapping the respective opposite sides of the associated rib-like projecting portion but spaced laterally therefrom to afford respective inwardly opening slots for reflection of light from the inner surfaces of the members into the grooves at the respectively opposite sides of the rib-like projecting portions, each of said grooves having the surface thereof transversely corrugated to provide a series of longitudinally extending transversely arcuate narrow ribs and valleys against the respectively opposite sides of which impinges the light reflected into said grooves from the reflecting surfaces of said members at the opposite sides of each groove.

2. In an ornamental lamp shade, a shade body to be disposed in concealing relation to a hidden light source, said body having a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel generally concave grooves of substantial width separated by longitudinally extending parallel rib-like outwardly projecting portions the sides of which merge into said grooves, each of said rib-like projecting portions having a longitudinal slot at the apex of projection therein for escape of light from said source, and a respective channel-shaped elongated reflector shield member mounted in concealing relation to each of said slots, said members having the edges thereof adjacent to and overlapping the respective opposite sides of the associated rib-like projecting portion but spaced laterally therefrom to afford respective inwardly opening slots for reflection of light from the inner surfaces of the members into the grooves at the respectively opposite sides of the rib-like projecting portions, each of said grooves having the surface thereof transversely corrugated to provide a series of longitudinally extending tranversely arcuate narrow ribs and valleys against the respectively opposite sides of which impinges the light reflected into said grooves from the reflecting surfaces of said members at the opposite sides of each groove, the reflecting surfaces of the members at the respectively opposite sides of each of the grooves having a'diiferent color so that a different color is reflected into said grooves from each opposite side thereof.

3. In an ornamental lampshade, a shade body to be disposed in concealing relation to a hidden light source, said body having a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel generally concave grooves of substantial width separated by longitudinally extending parallel rib-like outwardly projecting portions the sides of which merge into said grooves, each of said rib-like projecting portions having a longitudinal slot at the apex of projection therein for escape of light from said source, and a respective channel-shaped elongated reflector shield member mounted in concealing relation to each of said slots, said members having the edges thereof adjacent to and overlapping the respective opposite sides of the associated rib-like projecting portion but spaced laterally therefrom to afford respective inwardly opening slots for reflection of light from the inner surfaces of the members into the grooves at the respectively opposite sides of the rib-like projecting portions, each of said grooves having the surface thereof transversely corrugated to provide a series of longitudinally extending transversely arcuate narrow ribs and valleys against the respectively opposite sides of which impinges the light reflected into said grooves from the reflecting surfaces of said members at the opposite sides of each groove, each of said members having a plurality of clips extending from the inner reflecting surface thereof and retainingly engaging at the edges defining the associated slot.

4. In an ornamental lamp shade, a shade body to be disposed in concealing relation to a hidden light source, said body having a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel generally concave grooves of substantial width separated by longitudinally extending parallel rib-like outwardly projecting portions the sides of which merge into said grooves, each of said rib-like projecting portions having a longitudinal slot at the apex of projection therein for escape of light from said source, and a respective channel-shaped elongated reflector shield member mounted in concealing relation to each of said slots, said members having the edges thereof adjacent to and overlapping the respective opposite sides of the associated rib-like projecting portion but spaced laterally therefrom to afford respective inwardly opening slots for reflection of light from the inner surfaces of the members into the grooves at the respectively opposite sides of the rib-like projecting portions, each of said grooves having the surface thereof transversely corrugated to provide a series of longitudinally extending transversely arcuate narrow ribs and valleys against the respectively opposite sides of which impinges the light reflected into said grooves from the reflecting surfaces of said members at the opposite sides of each groove, said body comprising a tubular shell and end cap members at the opposite ends of the shell and with the end cap members having annular flanges projecting beyond the ends of said members and affording end support for said members.

5. In an ornamental lamp shade, a shade body to be disposed in concealing relation to a hidden light source, said bdy having a plurality of longitudinally extending parallel generally concave grooves of substantial width separated by longitudinally extending parallel rib-like outwardly projecting portions the sides of which merge into said grooves, each of said rib-like projecting portions having a longitudinal slot at the apex of projection therein for escape of light from said source, and a respective channel-shaped elongated reflector shield member mounted in concealing relation to each of said slots, said members having the edges thereof adjacent to and overlapping the respective opposite sides of the associated rib-like projecting portion but spaced laterally therefrom to afford respective inwardly opening slots for reflection of light from the inner surfaces of the members into the grooves at the respectively opposite sides of the rib-like projecting portions, each of said grooves having the surface thereof transversely corrugated to provide a series of longitudinally extending transversely arcuate narrow ribs and valleys against the respectively opposite sides of which impinges the light reflected into said grooves from the reflecting surfaces of said members at the opposite sides of each groove, said body comprising a tubular shell and end cap members at the opposite ends of the shell and having respective annular shoulders fitting within and secured to the associated end margins of the body shell.

MELVIN C. THORSTENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Spencer Oct. 21, 1919 Bayley Sept. 20, 1921 Klehr June 18, 1929 Strom May 5, 1931 Wuelker Sept. 8, 1931 Gunnison Sept. 13, 1932 Pflueger May 1, 1934 Glatthar et a1 Mar. 3, 1936 Stone Dec. 29, 1936 Kantack Apr. 9, 1940 Lisbon Sept. 24, 1940 McCann Oct. 1, 1940 Stewart Jan. 13, 1942 Kantack Dec. 29, 1942 Biller Jan. 8, 1946 

